Where are Clearwells typically located in a water treatment system?

Clearwells are typically located at the end of a treatment train in a water treatment system. This positioning is primarily due to their role in the treatment process. After water has undergone various treatment stages—such as coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection—clearwells act as storage reservoirs for the treated water before it is distributed to consumers.

Their primary purpose is to provide a buffer storage to ensure a constant supply of treated water that meets safety standards. This also allows for necessary contact time for disinfection processes, particularly when chlorine is used, ensuring that pathogens are adequately eliminated before the water reaches the distribution system. Furthermore, having clearwells at this stage in the treatment helps manage fluctuations in water demand and can contribute to maintaining water quality during distribution.